Combined dispensing and applying device



Filed Nov. 13, 1956 Patented Mar. 11, .1941

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE commmn DISPENSING AND APPLYING nsvrcn 9 Claims.

My invention relates to combined dispensing and applying devices.

It has among its objects to provide an improved device adapted to dispense and apply material contained therein. A further object of my invention is to provide such an improved device of an improved construction adapted to be held in the hand during use and whereby it is made possible to spread or apply the material in a new and effective manner with the dispensing device and while very conveniently controlling the flow of dispensed material as desired. A still further object is to provide an improved device including improved material containing means adapted to be grasped in the hand during use and flexed to discharge the material therefrom, and also including improved closure means controlled by the flexing means and controlling the discharge of the material, while also having improved means for applying the discharged material as desired. These and other objects and advantages of my. improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown for purposes of illustration several embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawin'g- Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the same in use in dispensing and applying liquid shoe dressing;

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view of the lower or dispensing end of the device shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but at right angles thereto; v

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the dispensing end of the device;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing a modified construction;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation partially in section, of a further modified construction;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the dispensing end of a modified construction of the structure shown in Figure '7; v

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a still further modified construction;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the construction shown in Figure 9, and

Fig. 11 is a detail bottom plan view of a further modified construction.

Referring first to the form of my invention shown in Figures 1 to 6, it will be noted that I have therein shown the device as including an improved container portion I adapted to be grasped in the hand and flexed as desired, to-' gether with an improved combined closure and applying member 2 suitably operatively connected to the container I by improved connecting means 5 3; the several elements being of improved con'-- struction and cooperating to produce an improved device as hereinafter more fully described.

-The container I is provided with a material reservoir or chamber 4, and is adapted to func- 10 tion not only as a container, but also as a grasp ing portion adapted to'be held in'the fingers or hand during use and flexed to effect a controlled discharge through the closure 2. While not limited to such shape, herein'the container'l is sub- 15 stantially cylindrical in shape. Also, it is formed of a suitable resilient material adapted to form a grasping portion while also permitting flexing,

as shown in Figure 1, by pressure on its sides. and to spring back into its original form, such, 2 for example, as transparent Celluloid or other available equivalent material. If desired, the container may also be made of light metal having a suitable resilient side wall or walls, but the use of a transparent material is preferred since the latter also enables the user to determine at any time the amount of material in the con- .tainer. Here note also that the container is closed at one end and open at the other end, and provided with a threaded portion 5 on its open end upon which the connecting means 3 is adapted to be threaded in order to connect the closure 2 over the open or dispensing end of the container which is the lower end of the same when in use.

Cooperating with the improved container I is my improved closure 2, which includes improved outlet means adapted to be controlled by the flexing of the container I as described, and isalso provided with improved material distributing or applying means. This closure 2 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical piece of a suitable soft and flexible material. Herein, while not limited thereto, the same is shown as formed from a cylindrical blank of non-absorbent sponge 4 rubber, i. e. free from intercommunicating cells and preferably rather dense and close grained and having small cells minimizing the tendency to retain material in the surface cut cells and particularly those on the applying surface thereof hereafter mentioned, as I find suchsponge rubber is well adapted to my purposes. As shown, the member 2 is divided into inner and outer portions 6 and I, each of cylindrical form and of substantially the same thickness and shape at a slightly concave inner face 9, adapted to be disposed in the container I as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. while the outer pad portion 6 is preferably provided with a slightly convex surface In adapted to form an effective distributing or applying surface capable of evenly and smoothly spreading the material. Attention further is directed to the factthat an axial opening extends from the lowest point on the concave surface 9 on the portion I toward the concave surface III on the portion 6, the opening herein being in the form of a substantially round chamber II which extends down through substantially two-thirds of the combined portions I5 and I. At its lower end, this chamber II also communicates with a knife cut or slit I2 which extends through the remainder of the portion 6 to the surface I thereon and is normally effectively closed due to the resiliency of the sponge rubber.

The connecting means 3 herein, preferably is in the form of a sleeve of molded composition such as Bakelite or the like, although metal may be used, and is also provided with threads to adapt it to be threaded on the threaded portion 5. It is also preferably provided with an inwardly extending peripheral bottom flange I3 adapted to be received in the slit 8. Thus, when the portion I is compressed and disposed within the member 3 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the two members 2 and 3 are securely connected together while being readily connected or separated by simply pressing the member 2 axially into or through the axial opening in the member 3. Also, it will be noted that this construction makes it possible for the threaded end 5 on the container I to be screwed in between the enclosed periphery of the portion I and the inner threaded wall of the memher 3 into abutment with flange I3 to connect the parts in the assembled relation shown in Figure 2, while obviously permitting removal of the container I for refilling bya reverse rotation of one relative to the other.

In the use of my improved construction, when the container I is held in the hand, as, for example, shown in Figure 1, it is possible for the shoe cleansing material therein, usually of slow flowing viscous character, to be discharged as desired through the normally closed slit I2, by merely flexing the side wall of the container 1 with the fingers or thumb, More particularly, the slit I2 will permit the passage therethrough of an amount of material proportionate to the flexing pressure exerted on the wall of the container I, and the discharge of the material will stop automatically when the pressure on the wall is relieved, the pressure on the material in the chamber 4 then being relieved and the wall due to its resiliency then also flexing out again into its normal cylindrical form. Further, it is found that except when thus opened, the slit I2 provides a very effective closure preventing the leakage of material therethrough as a result of the resiliency of the sponge rubber and its normal tendency to close the slit. Also as the material, for example, shoe dressing, passes out through the slit I2, the convex surface III of the sponge rubber provides a very effective distributing or applying means for the discharged material, adapted to distribute the latter smoothly as the surface III is rubbed over the surface to be treated, as for example, the shoe illustrated in Figure 1. More particularly,

the small cut cells on the applying surface tend to retain the desired minimum amount of liquid dressing, and provide a soft and effective, yet long wearing, spreading or applying surface which will smoothly distribute the material and will not mar the shoe surface, while the internal cells, being non-communicating, will prevent absorption of the dressingand thereby effectually prevent either seepage through the member 2 during spreading of the dressing and subsequent rubbing or objectionable hardening of the surface III thereof when not in use.

Attention here is further directed to the form of my invention shown in Figure 6, wherein im-' proved cooperating distributing and applying means are provided which are especially adapted to use to provide further control of the flow when the device is used with a relatively thin fluid, such for example, as any usual fluid used to clean fabrics, clothes or the like. These means herein are in the form of a suitable absorbent and continuous bottom cover I4, preferably formed of cloth such as cotton, and herein in the form of a hood or cap having a suitable draw string, not shown, and adapted to underlie the surface III and enclose the portion 6 of the member 2, as illustrated,

with its draw string disposed when tightened within the slit 8. As a result of the use of this hood, it will be evident that the material passing out through the slit I2 will be further controlled and distributed in such manner as thereby to minimize either difiiculty or waste due to careless or too severe flexing of the container I. The continuous cloth surface provided under the surface III also makes it possible for a cloth-to-cloth rubbing effect to be obtained, such as is desired when cleaning fabrics or clothes or removing spots or the like. With such an additional controlling fabric disposed over the slit I2 and surface II, it is also possible to use the device very effectively as a moistener for envelope flaps or the like. Further, the use of such a removable cloth rubbing surface also permits the rubbing surface to be changed when soiled, it' then only being necessary to press back the portion 6 adjacent the slit 8 sufllciently to permit release of the draw string and the substitution of another clean hood.

In Figure '7, I have illustrated a further form of my invention which is especially adapted to use in a larger form for polishing windows, Windshields, furniture, tiles, or the like. In this construction, a cleansing material containing chamber l5 having walls I5 is formed in a like sponge rubber member I6, and the bottom of the chamber is provided with a concave surface I1 and an axial more shallow opening I8 communieating with a slit I9 corresponding to that heretofore described. Further, in this construction, the outer face of the wall I5 of the chamber I5 carries a sleeve 20 formed of suitable material such as that used for the member 3, and having a flange 2| adapted to be received in a suitable corresponding annular opening in the outer wall of the chamber. Also an annular flange 22 is provided on the chamber wall I5 which is adapted to extend over the flange 2|. An annular threaded portion 23 and adjacent annular abutment 24 are also preferably provided on the sleeve 20 to receive a threaded cover 25 preferably formed of like material to the sleeve 20 and having a threaded portion engaging the threaded portion 23 and also having an upper annular shoulder 26 adapted to compress the rubber flange 22 between the portion 25 and the flange 2| on the member 20 and thereby effectively prevent leakage of the cleansing material from the ,09 of the chamber l5. Thus, with the parts of such size as to permit the cover 25 to be received in the palm of the hand with the fingers extending down over the portion 21 of the sponge rubber body adjacent the base of the chamber 15, it is possible not only to rub the bottom surface 28 of the enlarged working end 23 of the device over any selected surface, but also to control the discharge of cleansing material from the chamber l by pressing the portion 21 to fiexthe latter and cause discharge of the cleansing fluid through the slit IS in a manner generally similar to that previously described. With this construction, it will be evident that, if desired, I may also use a cloth surface 14 in the form of'the hood heretofore described, suitably attaching the latter by its draw string around the reduced portion 21.

In Figure 8, I have illustrated a further modifled form of the construction shown in Figure 7,

29, as for example, to enable scouring. If de-' sired, this abrasive may also be suitably attached to or impregnated in a suitable fabricor composition strip which is in turn suitably attached to the bottom surface 28 of the portion 29. Here, obviously. as in the construction shown in Figure 7, it will be possible to rub with the abrasive 30 while feeding cleansing material from the chamber l5 and varying the discharge thereof through the slit l9 as previously described, which here also extends through surface 28.

In Figures 9 and 10, I have illustrated a further modified form of my construction which may be used for dispensing pastes or the like, such for example as the pastes used for so-called brushless shaves, while the construction is also readily adapted to use in applying library paste or for applying deodorant paste or the like. In this construction, a chamber 3| is enclosed within a flexible casing or bulb 32 of ordinary resilient rubber adapted to be compressed as desired to discharge material in the chamber 31 through passages 33, 34, corresponding to the passage I8 and slit I9 heretofore described. Further, it will be noted that these passages are provided in a like sponge rubber portion or base 35, corresponding to the portions 6 and 29 heretofore described in connection with Figures 2, 3 and 7, and having a like sponge rubber. bottom surface 36, the sponge rubber portion 35 and ordinary rubber bulb 32 being suitably connected as by vulcanizing. In the use of this construction, although in view of the use of the device for paste,

the cut or slit 34 is relatively wider than hereto-' fore described, the action is essentially similar,

the flow of paste through the slit being controlled by pressure on the bulb 32. Attention here is also directed to the fact that the wider slit 34 provided in this construction, also makes it possible for the chamber 3i to be readily filled, as by forcing the end of a tube containing the material to be dispensed up through the slit and then squeezing the contents of the tube into the chamber 3|, while eliminating all need for providing a removable portion to permit filling.

Further, it will be understood that in this construction, I may also use, if desired, the removable cloth l4 heretofore described, the hood being connected over the reduced portion around the base of the bulb 32. When such an external rubbing surface of cloth is provided, itis also found possible if-desired to reduce the resiliency of the portion 35, as for example, by making both portions 32 and 35 of ordinary rubber, and making the portion 35 substantially thinner, although such a construction is not preferred.

In Figure 11, I have also illustrateda modified construction which may be used in connection with the constructions shown in Figures 1-, 6 and 9, if desired. Here, it will be noted that instead of having the surface around the bottom opening in the cut or slit l2 formed of sponge rubber, I vulcanize the outer surface of the adjacent area as at 31 to form a'shallow smooth rubber area around the slit, while leaving the remainder of the bottom distributing or applying surface of sponge rubber. In practice, however, this construction is not preferred although it may be used under certain conditions.

As a result of my improved construction, it is made possible to obtain a very effective material dispensing and applying device. The action of the normally closed cut or slit is such as to prevent the escape of the material from the container during ordinary rubbing, while the sponge rubber effectually prevents seepage 'therethrough or the delivery of the material through any other path than the outer slit, and also eliminates absorption and drying or caking such as would otherwise result from the impregnation of porous or absorbent materials by certain dispensed compositions. Also, my improved construction makes it possible for the user to effect any desired flow through the slit at any time by the application of varied pressure to the flexing portion to effect a controlled discharge through this slit, Further, when the material emerges through the slit it is also possible to distribute or applyit very effectively by merely rubbing with the applying surface around the slit. In practice, it will also be understood that the surfaces other than this bottom or applying surface, may be suitably smooth surfaced, or coated or glazed, but that the applying surface is left rough in order to provide an effective cleaning, rubbing or polishing surface, except when the cloth I4 is used, or when abrasive is carried on the applying surface, when the latter may also be smooth if desired. Attention is further directed to the fact that the construction in its various forms is also adapted to be very inexpensively produced, while having long wearing qualities. These and other advantages will, however, be apparent to those skilled in the While I have in this application specifically described certain forms'which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms are chosen for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

being open, and an applying pad having an interior portion formed of non-absorbent sponge rubber material of substantial thickness extending a substantial distance into, attached to, and

closing said open end of said chamber, said pad also having a resilient sponge rubber exterior portion having normally closed slit forming outlet means therein normally maintained closed in all directions of movement of said device, said chamber being formed with resilient side walls compressible to open said slit, said exterior sponge rubber portion having a roughened rubbing surface formed around the outlet of said slit, and said device being generally tubular and having said chamber, pad and outlet means substantially coaxially disposed.

2. A combined dispensing and applying device having an elongated chamber therein for material to be dispensed, one end of said chamber being open, and an applying pad having an interior portion formed of non-absorbent sponge rubber having non-communicating cells and extending into, attached to, and closing one end of said chamber, and said pad also having a resilient sponge rubber exterior portion having a bottom surface comprising cut cells and having a normally closed slit forming outlet means communicating with said chamber and extending throughsaid surface and normally maintained closed in all directions of movement of said device, said chamber being formed with resilient side walls compressible to open said slit.

3. A combined dispensing and applying device having a compressible container portion, open at one end, for material to be dispensed, and a closure member insertable in and closing the open end thereof having a resilient, non-absorbent sponge rubber applying portion of substantial thickness having non-communicating cells and a material spreading and smoothing surface having cut sponge rubber cellsthereon and having extending through said surface normally closed outlet slit means through which material in said container portion is dispensed upon compressing said container portion for spreading by said surface. I

4. In a combined dispensing and applying device, a resilient container member having a bottom aperture, and a resilient closure member closing said aperture and having normally closed slit means opening into the interior of said container member and opening upon flexing and closing upon releasing the latter, said resilient closure member carrying a bottom material spreading and smoothing portion of substantial thickness having a roughened material applying face and said closure member including a transverse portion of non-absorbent sponge rubber comprising non-communicating cells and located between the upper and lower ends of said slit means and through which said material in said container is delivered by said slit means.

5. In a combined liquid dispensing and applying device, an elongated semi-rigid tube having adjacent one end resilient side walls adapted to be flexed between the fingers and also having at said end a bottom aperture, and a closure member having a resilient closure portion received in and closing said aperture and comprising sponge rubber having non-communicating cells and also having a bottom generally disc shaped resilient pad portion of substantial thickness also comprising sponge rubber having non-communicating cells and having a bottom rubbing surface and normally closed slit means surrounded by said rubbing surface and extending through said pad portion and opening through said closure portion into the interior of said tube and normally maintained closed by the resiliency of said pad portion in all bodily movements of said device during rubbing by said surface and opening and closing only upon flexing and releasing said resilient side of such depth as normally to be closed by the resiliency of the material.

7. In a combined dispensing and applying device, a compressible container which is open at the bottom and having resilient non-expansible side walls and a chamber therein for material to be dispensed, and a bottom stopper and closure member attached to said side walls at the open bottom of said chamber comprising a body of sponge rubber having non-communicating cells and larger than said bottom opening and adapted to be compressed upon insertion therein and when therein normally held in compression by said container and having slit means extending through and terminating in the exposed surface of said sponge rubber and normally closed by the resilience of said sponge rubber when said member is so normally compressed and openable when said resilient walls of said container are manually compressed.

8. In a dispensing and applying device, an applying portion having a slit therein adapted to dispense material through said portion, said applying portion being formed of non-absorbent sponge rubber having non-communicating cells and normally closing said slit therein by its resilience, and also having a rubbing surface transversely located relative to said slit and supplied through said slit and formed of exposed cut cells through which said slit extends.

9. In an applicator, a resilient stopper member having an upstanding annular portion for closing the open end of a receptacle and having an axial opening, and a generally horizontally disposed bottom disk shaped pad thereon and having slit forming outlet means therein receiving material through said opening and adapted to dispense material through said pad, said pad being formed of non-absorbent resilient sponge rubber having non-communicating cells normally closing the slit therein and having a roughened bottom material applying face.

TOM HUSTON. 

